**Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Amasses Over $325 Billion in Cash While Shedding Apple and Bank of America Shares**

OMAHA, Neb. - Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway now holds over $325 billion in cash, following substantial sales of Apple and Bank of America shares this year. Despite reaping consistent profits from its wide array of businesses, the company has not pursued any significant acquisitions. Berkshire revealed that it sold roughly 100 million more Apple shares during the third quarter, after halving its enormous holding in the tech giant during the previous quarter. Even though the remaining stake of around 300 million Apple shares, valued at $69.9 billion in late September, remains Berkshire's largest individual investment, its value has plummeted from $174.3 billion at the end of last year.

Moreover, Berkshire did not repurchase any of its own shares in the recent quarter, which may leave investors questioning the strategy behind accumulating such substantial cash reserves. CFRA Research analyst Cathy Seifert pondered if this cash buildup indicates a more pessimistic outlook on the economic and market future than others may have.

At its annual meeting in May, Buffett attributed part of the sale of Apple shares to expected future hikes in tax rates. However, Edward Jones analyst Jim Shanahan speculated whether the sales might also be linked to the passing of Vice Chairman Charlie Munger last year. Shanahan suggested that Buffett, traditionally less comfortable with technology investments than Munger, might not have sold the Apple shares as aggressively or at all if Munger were still alive.

Despite fluctuating profits driven by investment gains, Berkshire reported a surge in third-quarter net earnings to $26.25 billion or $18,272 per Class A share. This contrasts sharply with last year's $12.77 billion loss or $8,824 per Class A share, impacted by unrealized investment losses. Buffett, however, advises investors to focus on Berkshire's operating earnings for a clearer understanding of its business performance, as these figures omit investment results prone to quarterly variations.

For the third quarter, operating earnings slightly declined to $10.09 billion or $7,023.01 per Class A share from last year's $10.8 billion or $7,437.15 per Class A share. This fell short of the $7,335.11 per share operating earnings anticipated by four FactSet Research analysts.

Berkshire's quarterly revenue saw little change, standing at $92.995 billion compared to $93.21 billion the previous year, which surpassed the $92.231 billion expected by three analysts surveyed by FactSet. The conglomerate’s diverse portfolio includes insurers like Geico, the BNSF railroad, utility firms, and retail and manufacturing businesses such as Dairy Queen and See's Candy. Among its insurance subsidiaries, Guard recorded additional losses on previous years due to a reassessment of its policies.

Additionally, Berkshire clarified a financial transaction from the quarter, detailing a total compensation of approximately $4 billion, comprising $2.4 billion in cash, $600 million in debt, and Class B Berkshire shares worth a little over $1 billion, for acquiring the remainder of the shares in its utility business from the estate of former board member Walter Scott. This price contrasts with the more favorable terms Vice Chairman Greg Abel received two years ago when selling his 1% stake in the utility business for $870 million. Abel is expected to succeed the 94-year-old Buffett as CEO in the event of his passing.